The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Ministry of Education finances scholarships for higher degrees in top global universities

UAE, October 18, 2016 -The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has signed a collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Education, during the 3rd day of GITEX 2016 to fund 15 foreign scholarship opportunities through ICT Fund with a total cost of AED 17.6 million.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the TRA have signed the agreement, which will provide 15 scholarships - 10 for masters and 5 for doctorate degrees - in some of the world’s topmost universities. The agreement forms part of the ‘Betha’ program launched by the ICT Fund, one of TRA’s initiatives which promotes national education development by providing financial support to the country’s most deserving students.

H.E. Dr. Belhoul Al Falasi said: “The Ministry of Education is committed to creating opportunities for local talent to pursue competitive qualifications that will prepare them to hold leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, and contribute to our vision of building a knowledge-based economy in the UAE. Today’s agreement with TRA represents a new partnership with government that I am confident will serve our students.” 
 
“We appreciate the TRA's support for Emirati students as they further pursue their education and develop their skills,” H.E. Dr. Belhoul Al Falasi added.
 
H.E. Hamad Al Mansoori noted that the TRA is committed to its responsibility towards the education sector, enrich the country’s human resources and enable them to keep pace with today’s competitive job market and lead the development in the country. He expressed his appreciation to the major role played by the Ministry of Education in qualifying the UAE generations for the prosperous future under the wise leadership.

Al Mansoori emphasized that ICT plays a major supporting role for the education sector especially in terms of providing their technological needs and enable students to use various ICT tool within a safe environment. He explained that all educational tools are based on ICT and it is essential in promoting innovation process.

“Through “Betha’ program, the TRA aims to build highly-qualified UAE Nationals that are able to develop and transform knowledge. We have signed various special agreements this week at GITEX 2016 to support the education sector in the UAE,” H.E. added.

Eng. Omar Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Acting CEO, ICT Fund, noted: “This agreement is opening the opportunity for excellent Emarati students to take up higher levels studies in the field of science and technology in some of the best universities in the world as we look at today’s young generation to continue forward the UAE’s development journey. We can see the results in our future from the government’s attention given to the youth. The agreement follows the strategic vision of our country especially in terms of the Emiratisation program and human resources development.”

The ICT sector is a vital contributor in the building process of a knowledge-based economy, which was the basis of the ‘Behta’ program launched in 2013. It aims to provide a high-quality educational system for future generations through funding and consultation services for organizations and individuals and enable them to enhance the UAE’s knowledge capital.